
PARLIAMENTARY Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga says the MMD is strong and will win the 2011 general elections without entering into a pact with any party.
Mr Mwaanga said the MMD does not need to be in alliance with the United Party for National Development (UPND) or any other party to scoop next year’s general elections.
He said the MMD is not panicking like other parties because it has massive support across the country.
Mr Mwaanga said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that whether or not the MMD forms an alliance with another party, it is confident of winning next year’s elections.
Mr Mwaanga said the party is disappointed with the statement by Chilanga member of Parliament Ng’andu Magande, who accused him of implying that the party cannot win next year’s elections as it wants to be in an alliance with the UPND.
Mr Mwaanga said the MMD is not lobbying to be in an alliance with the UPND, but that it is the latter that wants a partnership.
He said the fact that he delivered a message from some UPND members in Southern Province who prefer their party to form an alliance with the MMD does not mean he is championing the idea.
“I was merely delivering a message from some UPND members from Southern Province who said they prefer an alliance with the MMD.
“I don’t understand what Mr Magande is talking about when he says President Banda and his leadership cannot win the elections without an alliance. We are still a strong party and we do not need to be in an alliance with another party to win next year’s general elections,” he said.
Mr Mwaanga said the statement by Mr Magande is malicious, adding that he should desist from wrongly interpreting statements.
He said Mr Magande, whom he described as an amateur in the political arena, should be mindful of the statements he makes.
Mr Mwaanga said he was taken aback by the statement Mr Magande made, adding that he is behaving like an opposition MP.
He said it is saddening that some MMD members with personal agendas have developed the habit of attacking the top leadership.
“I am extremely disappointed with Mr Magande’s remarks…I expected that to come from the opposition and not a member of my party,” he said.
Mr Mwaanga said the party is not short of people with leadership skills, adding that members who no longer agree with the constitution and policies of the party should resign.
Mr Magande was quoted as having said Mr Mwaanga has admitted that the current MMD leadership of President Banda has failed to run the country and cannot win the 2011 general elections.
He said Mr Mwaanga’s comments that the people of Southern Province prefer an MMD-UPND alliance as opposed to UPND-PF pact revealed lack of confidence in the MMD.
Meanwhile, Government has described as unnecessary the decision by Zambia Sugar Plc to report Chief Mwanachigwala of the Tonga to the police over his alleged threats to burn the company’s cane fields.
Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that government’s findings revealed that the reported threats by the chief were stretched beyond context because the matter was conclusively resolved.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha, who is Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, was reacting to a story in The Post in which the company has reported the chief to police over his alleged threats to torch the company’s cane fields if it continued conducting business with the Mazabuka District Business Association.
“As Government, we are happy that this issue was conclusively resolved and we see no need for further concerns by Zambia Sugar Plc,” he said.
Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said contrary to allegations, Chief Mwanachingwala’s guidance during the meeting called by concerned contractors and suppliers in Mazabuka recently was one of progress.
“The chief meant no harm in his guidance during the meeting,” he said.
Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said the chief merely sought to amplify the need for the company to ensure that there was equity and fairness in its business dealings with all the contractors and suppliers of goods and services.
He said the meeting was about advancing the interests of both Zambia Sugar and the residents of Mazabuka in deriving maximum benefits from the important investment.
“The chief’s remarks were about Zambia Sugar spreading business opportunities to all contractors and suppliers in the district as part of its social responsibility,” he said.
He said Government was informed that a meeting was held last week involving the district commissioner, members of the Mazabuka District Business Association, concerned contractors and suppliers and Zambia Sugar at which the issue of contracts was discussed.
[Zambia Daily Mail]